Plast 2026 is here

The twentieth edition of Plast, Europe’s leading trade fair this year for the plastics and rubber industry, opened on 9 June 2026 with the ribbon-cutting ceremony in Corso Italia, the central decumanus of Fiera Milano in Rho, near Milan. Xylexpo and Composites Future were also inaugurated alongside Plast: the two other exhibitions which, together with Plast itself, form part of MaTec - Next Materials and Technologies, also taking place from 9 to 12 June at the same exhibition centre. This format is designed to foster synergy among supply chains which, although different, are closely connected in terms of machinery types, automation systems and increasingly cross-cutting materials, as well as sharing common application sectors such as construction, automotive and packaging.

Plast 2026 is taking place at one of the most difficult times in recent years for the European plastics industry, affected by geopolitical tensions – with the situation in the Strait of Hormuz currently continuing to create uncertainty around logistics and the supply of energy and raw materials – and by crises in several manufacturing sectors, first and foremost the European automotive and recycling industries, which are grappling with high industrial costs, weak demand and competition from virgin materials. Despite this complex situation on several fronts, the Milanese triennial exhibition has opened under the banner of resilience, and the initial figures inspire confidence: over 1,000 exhibitors, including 200 newcomers – i.e. companies that had not taken part in any previous edition – from 45 countries worldwide, and more than 40,000 square metres of exhibition space across six halls, also hosting the satellite shows Rubber, 3DPlastLab and PlastMat. These figures once again confirm Plast 2026 as Europe’s benchmark event for the global plastics and rubber industry. Thousands of visitors from all the main geographical areas are expected over the four days of the exhibition.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by Rosario Pantaleo, councillor of the Municipality of Milan, delegated by Elena Buscemi, President of the Municipal Council; Maurizio Forte, Central Director for Export Sectors at the Italian Trade Agency ICE; Francesco Conci, CEO and General Manager of Fiera Milano; Massimo Margaglione, President of Amaplast – the national association of manufacturers of machinery and moulds for plastics and rubber; Enrico Aureli, President of Acimall – the association of Italian woodworking machinery manufacturers; and Roberto Frassine, President of Assocompositi – the Italian association for composites and related materials.